The next morning, Gwendolyn woke up, blinking her eyes open as she slowly came to her senses. The sun was shining brightly through the window, and she could hear the sound of birds chirping outside.
As her memory from the night before began to return, her stomach dropped. Had that been real?
Gwendolyn threw the blankets off and went to the window, hoping the sight of the beautiful castle grounds would chase away the last remnants of the nightmare. Instead, the sunlight only emphasized how dark and foreboding the landscape had become. The once vibrant colors seemed dull and faded, and the air itself had an unnatural chill.
Even the lake looked different, its waters dark and still as a shadow passed over its surface. She shuddered and stepped back, a sense of dread settling over her.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
